Stay on Code Red

It was a typical day on the subway in New York City. A man, who was over the age of sixty, was traveling down the rails and bothering no one. Unfortunately for him, he became a victim of an assault.

The victim had a bag, which became a target for the criminal. The criminal kicked the bag. The victim commented, “What’s wrong with you.” The victim then moved to the center of the subway train.

As I describe this incident, in no way am I criticizing the victim. I was not there, and there is no video to see the crime. A reasonable person could infer that moving away from the criminal would be enough to de-escalate the situation.

The attacker followed the victim to the center of the subway car and cut the victim in the face area with a box cutter. A severe laceration was the result of the senseless crime.

What can we learn about criminals from this violent incident? Even when retreating and trying to avoid conflict, you must remain on high alert or in a code red awareness. In code red situations, there is a threat or danger. You must objectively analyze the threat situation, stand your ground, fight, or retreat.

The victim in New York City may have been on code red. He may have done everything possible to prevent the attack and injury. Sometimes you can do everything right, and things still turn out wrong. Again, I am not in any way criticizing the victim in this analysis. I am criticizing the attacker and pointing out that criminals sometimes follow the retreating victim. They have patterns of behavior that can help us learn ways to avoid conflict and stay safe.

You have probably heard of the term sucker punch. For the sucker punch strategy to be successful, the attacker looks for an opportunity to strike the victim with a surprise attack. Not being on guard provides an opportunity for the aggressive person to throw an unexpected punch. The slashing situation reminds me of a sucker punch.

During a retreat, you must not turn off your code red awareness. If you relax too soon, you are allowing yourself open to an attack.

Remain visually and auditorily aware. Force yourself to visually scan and listen for problems, which may not be right in front of you. On a subway, you might be able to secure your body against a wall. This will decrease the need to worry about attacks from behind. By positioning yourself against a wall, visual awareness will require 180° attention. In an open area, you need to be 360° aware. Additional attackers may attack from other angles rather than in front of you.

Many criminals do not attack alone. Expect more than one person to attack you. Although there was only one attacker on the New York City subway, it is not unusual for multiple attackers during violent crimes.

Never turn your back on the primary attacker. If you turn your back to a criminal, you become a perfect target. Even while exiting a situation, you must be disciplined and communicate to the attacker that you will not be an easy target during the retreat.

When retreating, find the safest exit. On a moving subway car, there may not be an exit. While in other situations, an exit might be your best option to avoid conflict. Evaluate the exit strategy. Could the exit put you in more danger? The New York City victim did not have a perfect exit opportunity, but he could move away from the criminal. Unfortunately, the criminal easily was able to close the distance on the victim. Even when a situation looks like it is over, expect the criminal to follow. During the exit, be in code red. Do not let your guard down.

There are documented cases of criminal groups that sometimes will pick out victims and plan on chasing them. Law enforcement agencies have observed some criminal groups using drones to follow the victim. The victim may feel safe and in the clear from an initial conflict. After the victim feels safe, the criminals catch up and attack.

Using a drone to follow a victim is an extreme and rare situation, but it is a reminder to stay alert to the possibility of follow-up attacks.

Finally, always expect an attacker to have a weapon. On the New York City subway, the victim did not see the box cutter until it was too late. It is not unusual for victims to be cut and not even know that the attacker had a weapon. Code red must include an awareness that a weapon is probable. Criminals use weapons. Criminals do not fight fair.

In a typical armed robbery, your life is more valuable than your purse, wallet, or telephone. Give them what they want. In a scenario such as the New York City subway attack, it appears the victim’s only option would have been to utilize defensive strategies. I always recommend learning self-defensive techniques. Without skills to defend yourself and your family, you will be at a disadvantage.

Even if you do everything right, you can still become a victim. However, people who observe patterns of criminal behavior and prepare can become less of a target. Crime awareness provides us with information, which might help us in a conflict. One thing is for sure; you should never look like an easy target, and you must be ready for a surprise attack. Even after it appears the situation has ended or during a retreat, stay on code red.

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